Compass

Compass is an online orientation dedicated to expanding the educational horizons of YFU students and their natural and host families during the cross-cultural experience. The topics have been organized by their usefulness and relevance leading up to, during and following the exchange experience. Take your time as you read through each topic, reading ahead now and going back to re-read later.

These issues are hosted on Joomag, and can each be easily shared, downloaded, or printed using the toolbar above each issue.

It may be surprising that you would experience culture shock later on in your exchange, but as your life in the host culture becomes more routine, sometimes this is the toughest part of the adjustment process. Read through this issue to learn more about culture shock and how to work through it.

It's time to go back home, and now that you've gotten used to living in another country, with a new family, new friends, and a new lifestyle, it may be hard to think about going back. This issue gives you some useful ideas for preparing to go home.

Parents

Parent Issue

As your teenager goes abroad, we hope that you will take a deeper look into the world too! This issue will provide you with some examples on how to share your teenager's experience.

Parent Experience Blog

As parents, you will play an important role in the success of your child’s exchange experience. You too will be experiencing change and adaptation. Therefore, YFU would like to provide you with your own learning opportunity to prepare for this exchange experience. Please read through our Parent Experience blog.